On 4th October, 1886, the eight-hour movement celebrated their first demonstration in Bathurst with what was described as a monster procession and sports. The weather was unfavourable for outdoor amusements, the rain of the previous day having rendered the air very keen and a cold wind prevailed from the west, while heavy clouds overheard threatened a further downpour. A large crowd of people assembled at the railway station and members of the Association turned out in great strength to take part in the procession. The day was observed as a public holiday, all the stores and offices in the city being closed. The order of the procession was the Guild Band; Operating Masons, with banner; Bricklayers, with 8-hour banner; Blacksmiths, Iron-moulders and Iron-workers; Carpenters and Railway Band and Representatives of Cobb and Co.’s factory and Painters. Messrs. Waters and Hewitt acted as marshals and managed the affair most successfully. At the head of each separate ‘department’ was a wagon drawn by powerful horses, a representatives of each craft standing thereupon in full working costume, and plying their tools of trade.

Later, on the 24th September, 1894, a special meeting of the Eight-Hour Demonstration committee was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall as the parade and sports were to take place the following month. There was a good attendance with Mr. W. Wallace in the chair. The minutes being read and confirmed, and the correspondence adopted, a great deal of detail work in connection with the procession was done. It was felt that the procession promised to assume proportions commensurate to the occasion. Delegates were appointed to interview the business people in reference to closing on day of demonstration. After several other matters had received attention, the meeting closed.

The 1894 sports programme was quite varied with such events as Half Mile Walking Handicap for Boys, 100 Yards Handicap Flat Race for boys under 12 years, 60 Yards Flat Race for 8-Hour men’s wives, 125 Yards Handicap Flat Race for Eight Hour Man only, wrestling, Sack Race, 50 Yard, 1-mile Walking Match (amateur), Potato Race, Half-mile Boys’ Bicycle Handicap, Jumping for ponies under 14 hands over three hurdles, Hurdle Race for Amateurs, Handicap over six hurdles over 150 yards, Obstacle Race, Catching the Pig with Greasy Tail, Tug-of-War and Best and Neatest Dressed Lady on the ground.

By the early 1900s the movement was gaining momentum throughout the state. On Wednesday 5th October 1904 the 8-Hour Demonstration procession took place in Dubbo. Mr. T. H. Thrower, M.L.A., and other members of Parliament visited the town to attend. The procession was headed by the Bathurst Brass Band. Organisers had planned a picnic and sports meeting near the town. In the evening a ball was held in the Masonic’ Hall and a Juvenile Ball was held the following evening. Less than two weeks later, on 17th October, Goulburn held their demonstration with great success as it was their largest gathering to be seen on the showground to date. The grand procession of trades was lengthy and attractive and four bands were in attendance. The 8-Hour Sheffield Handicap (115 yards) was won by W. Confoy, off 9 yards. Other footraces were held along with cycling events.